Meter pit box



. A. CUMMINGS METER PIT BOX APPLICATION FILED DEC Patented 00$. 17-, 1922.,

Ms m M m MM 6 m M h CM u 1. l

State of Fatenteci fillet. i2 i922.

METER rrr BOX.

Application filed December 14, 1920.

To all whom may concern:

Be it known that l, Crmnnns ALLEN (Juan MINGS, a citizen of the United States, re-

sidin at Battle Creek count of Calhoun. 3 7

Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Meter Pit Boxes, 01" which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in meter pit boxes.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved box for use as a meter pit which may be shipped and transported in the knock-down and readily set up at the place of installation and adapted to the particular requirements of the particular in stallation.

A further object is to provide an improved meter pit box having these advantages which is very economical to produce and convenient to use.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly definedand pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Fig. I is a perspective View of my improved meter pit box shown in operative relation to a meter, the box being partially broken away and the meter and its connect- .ing pipe being shown conventionally.

Fig. IT is an inside plan view of my improved meter box in the flat or knoek-down, partially broken away.

Fig. III is an enlarged detail inside view of my improved meter box illustrating the joints for the cleats.

Fig. TV is an enlarged detail horizontal section showing structural details.

In the drawing similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing, 1 provide side walls or panels 1 preferably formed of thin material such as is employed in the manufacture of shipping boxes. Each side wall or panel is bound together as a unit by means of the cleats 2 disposed on the inner sides of the wall panels and the binding wires 3 disposed on. the outer sides of the panels and Serial No. 480,733.

secured bythe staples 4: which also serve to secure the cleats.

These wires tie the panels together in the fiat or knock-down so that the boxes may be shipped or transported in the knock-down and set up where it is desired to use them.

The cleats are provided with coacting joint members 5 and 6 of the tongue and slot mortise type. The top cleats are disposed at the upper edges of the wall panels so as to protect and reinforce the same. The bottom cleats are disposed in a spaced relation to the lower ends of the wall panels to provide projecting portions 7 which may be broken or cut away or recessed as at 8 to receive the pipe 9 of the meter 10. These openings be formed where desired and may be cut with a knife or saw or even broken out with a hammer. The panels being bound by the wires and the cleats, there is little danger of the breaks extending above the cleats, particularly where formed of thin material as is preferred in practice.

My improved meter pit boxes may be set up on the job or place of installation, it only being necessary to swing the panels to erected position and twist the ends of the wires together as at 11 and the recesses for the pipe may be formed wherever required. If it is desired to make a concrete pit, the box may be employed as a wall of the form, boxes of different sizes being used for the inner walls of the pit.

My improved meter pit boxes are economical to produce and manufacture and result in a very substantial of time in the installation of meters. The boxes may be shipped or transported or stored in the knock-down or in the flat which is of very decided advantage.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a meter pit box, the combination of the side wall panels of thin material, cleats having coacting joint members at their ends disposed on the inner sides of said wall panels, and binding wires disposed on the outer sides of the wall panels and over said cleats so that the walls are tied together when in the flat or knock-clown and may be set up and retained in set up relation by connecting the ends o1 the wires, the upper cleats being disposed at the upper ends or" the wall panels and the lower cleats being disposed. in a spaced relation to their lower 7 receive a pipe.

3. In a meter pit box, the combination of the side walls and horizontally disposed cleats for said side walls, the lower cleats being disposed in a spaced relation to the lower ends of the side walls so that they may be cut or broken away below the cleats to receive a pipe.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES ALLEN CUMMINGS. [.L. s.]

Witnesses:

LUELLA G. GREENFIELD, VLUOIILE ORAMER. 

